Pastor Tony Jeffrey
Jim Denison, PhD, founder and CEO of Denison Ministries, tackles this question in his Biblical Insight to Tough Questions.
People today typically think of Satan as a symbol of evil, wearing red tights and a tail. He’s just as happy to be ignored as feared. But it’s impossible to ignore his work—broken hearts, homes, abuse, disease, and immorality. Even those who do not admit the reality of Satan must admit the reality of Satanism. In some places in America, Satan worship is growing 10 times faster than any church. In recent years, the Satanic Bible has outsold the Bible in many university bookstores.
This essay is written to convince you that Satan is both real and defeated. He wants you to believe that neither is true. The choice will be yours.
Jesus in John 8:42-47 gives us his frightening resume.
Satan claims ownership over every unsaved soul. He is the god of this age and prince of this world who controls this fallen age. Christians live in a world dominated by the devil. We are soldiers stationed on enemy soil, living in an occupied country. Satan blinds our minds to the truth, for he is a liar and father of lies. This is why a person who has not received the Holy Spirit cannot understand the things of God. Satan lies about God’s word. He manipulates the truth of Scripture and will misuse God’s word to deceive. The devil is a murderer from the beginning and is a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Those who engage his cause engage in physical, emotional, and sexual attacks against each other and the rest of us. Their master wants nothing less than the wholesale destruction of the human race, especially the people of God. Satan rules and uses demons to serve as his minions. Satan is the opposite of God in every way and opposes God. God loves you, and Satan hates you. God gave His Son for you, and Satan would take your soul.
Satan is real, but he is also defeated. Jesus came to earth to destroy the devil’s work. When our Lord died on the cross, sin died. When He rose from the grave, the grave lost. One day, Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire and tormented day and night for all time.
Satan is at war with our Father, and we are the battlefield where the conflict rages. He cannot hurt God, so he attacks God’s children.
In our spiritual war with this enemy, how do we win? Resist him in God’s strength and he will flee from you. Do not give the enemy a foothold by willfully sinning. Claim your victory in God’s power. Wear the armor of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 6 exhorts us to be strong in the Lord and the strength of His might! You can expect to be tempted by your mortal enemy. Stand in God’s strength today. And the next time the devil reminds you of your past, remind him of his future.
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